In the wake of a crash that seriously injured a woman in
South Allentown, city officials are hosting a public meeting with residents
tonight to further discuss safety improvements in the neighborhood.

The crash, which happened on South Jefferson Street in
August, injured a woman in her 70s who was leaving a neighborhood watch meeting
at Parkway Church of Christ around 9 p.m. She remains hospitalized.

Since then, city officials have met with neighbors and begun
implementing a plan to improve safety in the area. Councilman Peter Schweyer, a
resident of the city’s south side, detailed what has been done so far:

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Trees have been trimmed on South Jefferson
Street from the entrance to Lehigh Parkway to the intersection with Lehigh
Street.

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All streetlights in the same stretch have been
tested to check for low wattage. Two or three will be or have been replaced.

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A reflective crosswalk and permanent pedestrian
crossing sign have been installed on Jefferson Street near Liberator Avenue.

Future plans call for the installation of another crosswalk
on 17th Street at Coronado Street near Lehigh Park Elementary
School, Schweyer said. City officials have also agreed to install one or two more
streetlights in the area, and have ordered a flashing yellow light that can be
activated by pedestrians. That light will be installed at Jefferson Street and
Liberator Avenue near the new.

Schweyer said speed
has been an issue in the area for a long time. Conditions will likely get worse
once the 15th Street Bridge reopens, he said.

“It’s tragic that it took this to spur us to more action,”
he said. “Fortunately, It hasn’t been four vehicular deaths like Hanover Avenue
experienced that caused us to do this.”

Tonight’s meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Parkway Church
of Christ. The public is welcome to attend.

Photo: Allentown police investigate the Tuesday night accident in which a woman was hit by a car as she crossed South Jefferson Street t in front of the Parkway Church of Christ